Roof Color And Energy Efficiency

Green roofs sometimes called living roofs are exactly that.

Roof color and energy efficiency.

You will want to consider the color of your roofing materials for more than aesthetic value. Lighter roof colors will reflect more of the sun s energy while darker colors tend to absorb heat which can then transfer to attics where it can seep down into the home. The color of the shingles you choose for your build can have a significant impact on the building s energy efficiency. The color of a roof also plays a part in whether the roofing is energy efficient.

1 cool your roof cool roofs are lighter in color than traditional black asphalt or dark wood shingles and save energy by reflecting light and heat away rather than absorbing them. Here are the roof materials to think about for maximum energy efficiency. Energy star the most energy efficient roofs also have high emittance. The color shingles your clients choose can have significant effect on the temperature of the upper levels of the building.

This is known as the albedo effect and many studies have documented significant energy savings from simply lightening the color of a roof. A study done by the united states forest service compared the temperature of plywood sheathing under different colored shingles. The roof area is covered with greenery either grass or plants protected from the house by coverings that allow irrigation. Attic temperatures can vary as much as 20 to 40 degrees f which in turn can reduce energy consumption by 20.

A darker energy star rated roof will usually outperform a lighter roof that isn t designed with efficiency in mind. Green roofs are best for flat surfaces. This roof type can be much more expensive to implement than other efficient roof options so you should carefully assess your property and consult a professional before deciding to install a green roof. White roofing isn t always green.

Many regions have requirements for energy efficiency in new construction and metal roofing has a wide range of options and energy star ratings for meeting building codes. 6 go for energy efficiency certain colors and roof types can insulate your home to help you cut back on energy costs. In general lighter colors will reflect the heat while darker colors absorb it. The industry has long held the assumption that white roofing because of how it reacts with surrounding air temperatures think about the idea that the color white.

Green roofs also provide insulation lower the need for heating and cooling and can reduce the urban heat island effect.